Mic Check: The Soundtrack of Travel
Hey everyone, welcome to the third edition of Mic Check.
The conversations across the Skift Podcast Network this week cut straight to the heart of what’s driving travel and hospitality, from slowing growth and shifting trust to innovation that’s literally happening from the ground up.
Whether it’s a data-backed analysis, a sustainability story, or a sharp take from our newsroom, each episode connects to a bigger theme: how the business of travel is evolving in real time.
Before we dive in, a quick thank you to EF World Journeys , Sierra , and Lodgify for supporting the voices and conversations that keep this industry moving forward.
Now, let’s get into what’s worth listening to and watching this week.
🎧 This Week on the Pods
Brandreth Canaley , Jamie Lane , and Michael Goldin unpack three big stories shaping travel this week: whether Airbnb has hit its growth ceiling as regulations tighten, why luxury all-inclusives are attracting high-end travelers, and how Vrbo 's new “Loved by Guests” program is using transparency to build trust with travelers.
In part one, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat dig into Ryanair 's earnings and what keeps Europe’s biggest low-cost carrier ahead of the competition. In part two, they share insights from Etihad and Oman Air CEOs at Skift Global Forum East, exploring how Gulf carriers see the next chapter of global travel growth.
Darin Graham visits a fourth-generation farmer in the English Fens who’s turning soil carbon storage into a climate solution. Working with Danish startup Agreena, Thomas Gent explains how regenerative agriculture and tradable carbon credits could make farming part of the sustainability story — if it’s done right.
🎥 From the Screen
Last week, we introduced Sarah Dandashy as the new host of the Skift Daily Briefing — and if her voice sounds familiar, that’s because she’s also one of the co-hosts of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast !
Sarah now brings her hospitality expertise and sharp storytelling to the mic every Tuesday through Friday, unpacking the biggest travel headlines in three minutes or less. And on Fridays, she takes it a step further with a video edition that recaps the week’s most important stories and themes, adding fresh perspective and context for viewers.
In this week’s video, Sarah covers how the Federal Aviation Administration air traffic cuts are rippling through major airports, Tripadvisor 's layoffs as it doubles down on AI and experiences, and how luxury hospitality is facing a reckoning with its own overconfidence.
That’s this week’s Mic Check.
As travel keeps shifting, the best way to stay ahead is to listen to the stories, the data, and the people redefining the industry from every angle. Thanks for reading, for listening, and for being part of the conversation.
See you next week.
— Wil Slickers , Director of Video & Audio Strategy